Daniel, Birkdale, Southport

Tell us a bit about yourself.I’m from Bucharest in Romania and I am 46 in June.

How long have you sold Big Issue North for?Two years, maybe three. The first time, I sold The Big Issue in London, but not for long. And then I came to Liverpool.

Why do you sell the magazine?I used to work on building sites, in construction, gardening and in factories.But when I was working on a building site in Germany I fell and broke my back. I was in hospital for many months and I now have metal in my back and I cannot lift very much. I sell the magazine to make some money. I have money just for a few things. When I do not have enough money to eat I put my phone or something in a place like Cash Converters to get some more. And then when things get better I can buy it back and so on.

What is Bucharest like?It is a good place for tourists but it’s not a good place to live. And I cannot go back to Romania, because I borrowed a lot of money from a man and now I have to pay him back with more and I cannot.

Do you have a family?I have a daughter. She turns 14 this year. I am divorced and my daughter lives in Bucharest with my mother. She understands why I cannot come back.

What was your childhood like?I had a good childhood. I wish I could give my child a better life, like the one I had, but I cannot. I struggle to survive here. Sometimes my mother has to send me money to live. I think positive – maybe next month is better, maybe next year.

Where are you living at the moment?I have a small flat in Southport and I live there on my own. When I first came to the UK I had nowhere to stay. I slept rough in London and in Liverpool and even in Southport. A Catholic sister in Liverpool gave me a tent and a sleeping bag and I slept in that as well for a while. It was difficult sleeping outside because of my back. It is great to have a flat now.

What do you do in your spare time?In the summer I dress up as Pikachu from Pokémon and walk around in Southport, and sometimes in other cities, like Manchester and Liverpool. It makes people happy and it’s a kind of street performance that I do. I do this
at weekends and then during the week I sell
the magazine. It’s a big costume and very hot inside in the summer.

What languages can you speak?I can speak German, English, Italian and Romanian obviously. I learnt to speak different languages through the television, from my armchair. It’s simple. I am good at languages.

What makes you happy?I am happy when I go to work. People are very kind with me.